On September 23, 2024, the Bank of Russia issued commemorative coins for the Russian (Soviet) Animation series titled "Hedgehog in the Fog." The release includes a 3-ruble silver coin (Catalogue No. 5111-0510), a 25-ruble nickel-plated steel coin (Catalogue No. 5715-0003), and a 25-ruble cupronickel coin with colored coating (Catalogue No. 5015-0072).
"Hedgehog in the Fog," directed by Yuri Norstein at Soyuzmultfilm studio in 1975, has become an iconic piece of animated cinema globally. The film was recognized as the best animated film of all time at the Laputa Animation Festival in Tokyo in 2003 and has received a total of 40 awards.
The description of the precious metal coin is as follows:
The 3-ruble silver coin weighs 31.1 grams with a fineness of 925/1,000 and measures 39.0 mm in diameter. Both sides have a relief rim around the circumference. The obverse features a relief image of the National Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation along with inscriptions including 'РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ' (RUSSIAN FEDERATION), 'БАНК РОССИИ' (BANK OF RUSSIA), '3 РУБЛЯ' (3 RUBLES), '2024 г.' (2024), chemical symbols, fineness, Saint Petersburg Mint trademark, and fine metal content.
The reverse displays a colored image of Hedgehog from "Hedgehog in the Fog" standing on a hill against a foggy landscape with laser-treated matte finishing and an inscription ‘ЕЖИК В ТУМАНЕ’ (HEDGEHOG IN THE FOG). The edge is corrugated, and it is minted in proof quality with a mintage limit of seven thousand pieces.
For base metal coins:
The round-shaped, 27.0 mm diameter coins also feature relief rims around their circumference and corrugated edges. Their obverse side shows a relief image of Russia's National Coat of Arms with semicircular inscription ‘РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ’ framed by paired diamonds on both sides, Moscow Mint trademark on the right, and three-line inscriptions under the coat: ‘БАНК РОССИИ’ (BANK OF RUSSIA), '25 РУБЛЕЙ' (25 RUBLES), and '2024 г.' (2024).
The reverse side differs between two types:
- The nickel-plated steel coin features Hedgehog standing on a hill against a landscape cast in relief with fog.
- The cupronickel coin includes similar imagery but adds color to Hedgehog's depiction.
Their mintages are set at eight hundred fifty thousand pieces for nickel-plated steel coins and one hundred fifty thousand pieces for cupronickel coins.
These new coins are legal tender within Russia and must be accepted for all payments without restrictions at face value.
Reference to Press Service is mandatory if this material is used.